Feb. 13, 2013

Box Score

LANCASTER, PA - Host Franklin & Marshall used a 17-4 run midway through the first half to build a 10-point lead and did not look back en route to a 73-54 win over Johns Hopkins in Centennial Conference action Wednesday night at the Mayser Center. The Blue Jays fall to 15-9 overall and 11-6 in the conference as they head into the final regular season game of the season. The Diplomats improve to 18-6 overall and 13-4 in the conference as they stay in the hunt for the top seed in the conference tournament.

Hopkins got off to a good start and led 8-5 early after back-to-back baskets by senior Adam Spengler. But a layup by Brandon Beckford and a three-pointer from Max Brewer put Franklin & Marshall on top 10-8 and kick-started the 17-4 run. Jon Salandra capped the run with a jumper at 7:37 and staked the Diplomats to a 22-12 lead. Sophomore Luke Chambers cut the deficit back to eight with a bucket just 22 seconds later. But buckets by Salandra and Hayk Gyokchyan pushed the lead back to 12 points.

Hopkins battled back with a jumper from junior Connor McIntyre and a conventional three-point play from senior Alex Pandrangi as the Blue Jays cut the deficit to nine with 2:21 to play in the half. But the Diplomats would close out the half with an 8-2 burst to take a 38-23 lead into the locker room.

Franklin & Marshall extended its lead to as many as 22 in the opening six minutes of the half, fueled by six points from Salandra. Hopkins once again came back with four straight from Spengler and bucket in the paint by freshman Matt Chiusano to make it a 16-point game. Franklin & Marshall answered with a 6-1 spurt and its lead grew to 21. But the Blue Jays weren't going away with a layup from sophomore George Bugarinovic and back-to-back three-pointers from classmate Jimmy Hammer trimmed the deficit to 15 with 7:44 to go. Hopkins could get no closer in the closing minutes as Franklin & Marshall held on for the 19-point win.

Bugarinovic led the Blue Jays with 12 points while Spengler added 10 points to go with two assists and a steal. Gyokchyan led all scorers with 24 points to lead three Diplomats in double figures. Matt Porter put up 14 points while Salandra chipped in 12.

Hopkins returns to action on Saturday, February 16 as the Blue Jays host the Washington College Shoremen. Opening tip for the final regular season game for both teams is set for 2:00 pm at Goldfarb Gym. The Blue Jays will honor their seniors prior to the game.